Quebec Contingency Act

The Quebec Contingency Act was a private member's bill tabled in Canada's federal Parliament in 1996 to establish the conditions which would apply to a referendum regarding the separation of Quebec from Canada. It was a precursor to the Clarity Act of 2000.
Bill C-341 was introduced by future Prime Minister and then Reform Member of [Parliament (Canada)|MP] Stephen Harper, and reached First Reading on October 30, 1996. Its full title was "An Act to establish the terms and conditions that must apply to a referendum relating to the separation of Quebec from Canada before it may be recognized as a proper expression of the will of the people of Quebec."
Bill C-341 did not proceed any further in Parliament following First Reading.

Summary

"This enactment allows the Government of Canada to determine whether a referendum question in Quebec is clear and unambiguous.
If an affirmative answer is given to a clear question, the enactment authorizes the negotiation of separation, subject to the approval of the rest of Canada by referendum.
It affirms that a unilateral declaration of independence is ineffective with respect to Canadian law and does not affect the functioning of the Canadian Parliament, Government and courts with respect to Quebec."